shift differentials

patg · February 2005

We have 2 departments that have 24 hour operations within our plant. The employees rotate shifts every 90 days. We are considering a % increase in pay for any hours worked between 11pm to 5am or a shift differential for the graveyard shift. Any words of wisdom on shift differentials? What percentage do you use? How do you pay overtime if it falls within the increased pay time? Thanks!

HRinFL · February 2005

We use a set shift differential of $.35 per hour. This is applied to their rate of pay, even though some hours occur prior to the "midnight hour." We do not have a rotation, you move from the second shift to the first through seniority, so for us, the shift differential is included in OT calculations.

Hunter1 · February 2005

We pay different amounts in different departments (we're a municipality), so the police get a monthly amount, public works gets an hourly amount. FLSA will require that you calculate the differential into 'regular rate' when you pay overtime.

ritaanz · February 2005

We have 2 shifts, 10 hours each. The second shift gets a 10% shift differential. If there's overtime, the 10% is included. When we had a third shift, they were paid a 21% differential.

Nat · February 2005

We are a long term care facility that operates 24/7. We offer employees $1.00 per hour shift diff for 2nd and third shifts and $.50 per hour weekend diff. It does need to be included when calculating overtime.

patg · February 2005

This is great! Thanks for all your suggestions.

CRS8383 · February 2005

We have departments that have 2 shift and those that have 3 shifts. We pay $.35 per differential on both second and third shifts. We do include the differential in the OT calculation. We also have 12 hour crews. To date, we have not paid them any shift differential because the desire to work the 12hr shifts with the extra time off is so desirable to our workforce. It is considered a benefit.

shift differentials

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